Jan. 12, 2010

WASHINGTON -

The Georgetown University softball team has been selected to finish tenth, receiving 42 points, when the BIG EAST released its Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll last week. The conference coaches selected Louisville, who finished 2009 ranked No. 18 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll, to finish first, with DePaul in second and 2009 BIG EAST tournament champion Notre Dame third.

The Hoyas, who enter its second season of play in the BIG EAST, are coming off of an 11th place finish in its inaugural season in the conference, after winning eight of its last 14 conference games. Georgetown returns nine starters, including All-BIG EAST Third team selection RHP Mackensey Carter (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) for the 2010 season, which begins on February 20 at Elon.

The 2010 season will mark the final season of the program's first recruiting class. Head Coach Pat Conlan started the softball program on the Hilltop in 2006, comprised of members of Georgetown's club softball program. Her first recruiting class, consisting of seven student-athletes, began play in the 2007 season. C Suria Bahadue, 3B Demetria Cipriano, RHP Jennifer Connell, IF/OF Jadig Garcia and SS Samantha Peters, whose contributions have helped push the program into the BIG EAST, will have wrap up their four-year careers against USF on May 9 at Guy Mason Field.

2009 BIG EAST Points 2009 Overall 2009 BIG EAST 2009 Regular Season Finish
1. Louisville(6) 137 48-11 19-5 Third
2. DePaul(4) 131 39-14 18-3 First
3. Notre Dame(2) 125 43-17 19-4 Second
4. USF(1) 112 34-22 12-10 Fifth
5. Syracuse 101 30-21 12-10 Fourth
6. St. John's 78 25-26 11-13 Seventh
7. Connecticut 71 29-22 11-12 Sixth
8. Pittsburgh 64 25-24 9-15 10th
9. Providence 44 17-34 9-14 Ninth
10. Georgetown 42 17-20 8-14 11th
11. Seton Hall 38 24-31 10-14 Eighth
11. Villanova 38 23-26 6-18 12th
13. Rutgers 33 23-33 6-18 13th
(-) - indicates first place votes